Even though 32,500 more Californians were on company payrolls during January and more homes were on the market, that did not translate to increased demand for Orange County residential real estate in the most recent two weeks. Further, February nationwide retail sales were better than most expected and the stock market ended last week on an up tick, but Orange County residential real estate demand actually decreased. At www.OC180NEWS.com, we run the numbers for the two weeks ending March 4, 2010.

As the spring home buying season gathers steam, the number of homes on the market continued the increase which began four weeks ago. Demand during the most recent period was essentially unchanged from two weeks ago. At www.OC180NEWS.com we run the numbers for the two weeks ending February 18, 2010.

In the same week the feds reported national unemployment fell from 10.0% to 9.7%, the action in the Orange County residential real estate market is really starting to heat up. Even the worrisome distressed sales showed substantial improvement in the most recent data. It seems the tide has started to recede on the long expected flood of new foreclosures. We run the numbers for the two weeks ended Feburary4, 2010.

All of the five key residential real estate statistics we track for you here at www.OC180NEWS.com went in a negative direction for this reporting period, but never fear, our real estate guru; Steven Thomas says it’s all seasonal, and much better than recent years. In fact, he says “This is the best start to a New Year for the Orange County housing market in years.”  We run the numbers for the two weeks ended January 07, 2010.

Solvent is sexy, frugal is the new chic, November retail sales were better than expected, consumer confidence improved, and home mortgage interest rates are at their lowest level since the 1940’s. But, many borrowers can’t take advantage of the low interest rates by refinancing because banks are afraid to make loans, the Fed closed three more banks last week, and jobs are few and far between. What does it all mean for Orange County residential real estate? OC180NEWS.com runs the numbers for you—data for the two weeks ended December 10, 2009.

Unemployment continues to increase, hitting 10.2% for October, a 26 year high. But at the same time, initial claims for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest weekly total since January. On November 6, 2009, the Los Angeles Times included this quote: “The nation's retailers had their best month in more than a year in October as shoppers turned to discounters and high-end stores alike.” To complicate matters further, just as the October unemployment numbers were coming out, President Obama signed a law that, among other things, expands the home buying tax credit. The stock market decided that on balance, the net of all these events was good news and accordingly finished last week with the Dow Jones Industrials just below 10,300. So, what does it all mean for the Orange County real estate market? The expected flood of new foreclosures is not a tsunami, but the tide is unmistakably rising. We maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended November 12, 2009, the most recent report.

Even as many economists are starting to say the recession is over, the California unemployment numbers for September were disappointing. Jobs were lost at a greater rate in September than in August, reversing an improving trend. This could mean more foreclosures are coming. But, despite a small increase in distressed properties, the inventory of residential real estate for sale in Orange County barely changed during the last two weeks. We maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended10/15/09, the most recent report.

Still no sign of the impending flood of new foreclosures in Orange County residential real estate. The total inventory of active listings fell 4%, but the distressed listings fell by even more. Thus, for the first time in two months, the percentage of active listings which are distressed properties fell slightly. Defying seasonal expectations, the demand increased modestly. With job losses also continuing, but at a fraction of previous months, we maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended 9/17/09, the most recent report.

California's unemployment goes up again--from 11.6 in June, to 11.9 for July. More jobs are lost, (35,800 for July), but the losses are at a slower rate. Meanwhile, July home sales and prices are both up over a year ago and over the lows established earlier this year. Many believe the torrent of new home foreclosures is still expected, so, our biweekly Flood Watch continues. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ending 8/20/09.

The Orange County residential real estate action is heating up as the new buying season gets off to an early start. With the statewide Unemployment rate and the number of employed people in Orange County both holding steady, the demand for Orange County real estate is the strongest for the beginning of a year since 2004. We run the numbers for the two weeks ended January 21, 2010.

This biweekly Orange County Residential real estate report includes our regular foreclosure flood watch, a check on demand and inventory of OC residential listings, and some forecasts of 2010. www.OC180NEWS.com runs the numbers for you—data for the two weeks ended December 23, 2009.

As recovery from the Great Recession inches along, the only certainty in the residential real estate market is that there is plenty of uncertainty. Some experts continue to project that the flood of new foreclosures is just over the horizon and heading toward us. We have not seen a flood yet, but the tide is definitely rising. We maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended November 26, 2009, the most recent report.

Stocks are up—no, wait, they’re down—the recession is OVER—but, wait, there are still no jobs—home prices are up—not really, depends on your zip code, or does it?--what does it all mean for Orange County residential real estate? Last week, the Los Angeles Times carried an article with this headline—“Feared flood of foreclosures in California may be averted”. All we can do is watch the numbers, so we maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch of supply and demand. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended October 29, 2009, the most recent report.

Unemployment goes up and more jobs are lost, but the inventory of active Orange County residential real estate for sale continues to shrink. And, there is still no sign of the expected flood of new foreclosures in Orange County. We maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended 10/01/09, the most recent report.

There is still no sign of the long expected flood of new foreclosures in Orange County residential real estate. But, the upward creep in the percentage of distressed homes in active real estate inventory continues. With job losses also continuing, we maintain our by-weekly foreclosure flood watch. In this article, we consider the data for the two weeks ended 9/3/09, the most recent report.

Last week, unemployment came in much better than most experts were expecting and many have said it marks the bottom of the dark times. The stock market rallied in response. But, the naysayers say the good news will be short lived at least, and at worse, only obscures lurking bad news. The torrent of new home foreclosures is still expected, so, our Flood Watch continues.